Re: FLATTEST im

On 12/2/03 9:33 PM, in article, "Harold Buck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> John Hardt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
>> 
>> Want to argue with that?  OK, on a more literal note, any loop course which
>> begins and ends at the same location has, by definition, zero elevation
>> gain.
>> 
> 
> 
> I always thought the definition of "elevation gain" was total UPHILL
> distance, as opposed to net change in elevation, which is zero if you
> start and end in the same place.
> 
> --Harold Buck
> 

Elevation:      The height of a thing above a reference level; altitude.

Gain:       a.  To manage to achieve an increase of.
            b.  To increase by (a specific amount).

So, if you start and end at the same point you have "managed to achieve an
increase in altitude" of exactly zero.  What you describe (total UPHILL
distance) would best be described as "total vertical climb".

;-)

Seriously, in triathlon circles you are, of course, right Harold.  In my
world (where I'm a smart ass and my fiancée writes for a living) I pick on
such things.  After your comment about an uphill swim at IM Wisc (which I
got, by the way) I hoped you might see through my sarcasm.

John